How Effective are Burglar Alarms

According to a study (which surveyed convicted burglars) conducted at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, around 60% of respondents claimed that they kept in mind the presence of a security alarm system when they decided to break into a house. In addition, 50% of the respondents claimed that they would not attempt a burglary in a house where they see an alarm.

The UK data on the nature of burglary, collected by the UK government, shows that 2/3 of the homes that experienced burglary had taken less than basic security measures, while 1/3 had taken basic or greater security measures. Households that did not experience burglary – 3/4 had taken basic or advanced security measures, while 1/4 had taken less than basic security measures.

According to Alarm.org, homes with an alarm system are 3 times less likely to be burglarized.

Burglar alarms act as a deterrent for intruders, who prefer to avoid houses, even with fake signs of security companies posted in their yard.

A certain level of psychological comfort is gained with the installation of a burglar alarm. The home owners can relax if they know someone is watching out for them.

It is advisable to include a siren or strobe lights in your alarm system. When the system is triggered, the loud noise or the flashing lights cause the intruders to panic and run. This increases the effectiveness of your overall security system.

An alarm system will only be as effective as its owners. You will have to be vigilant and intelligent in the use of your alarm system. One of the main reasons why burglar alarms fail is that people don’t take the time out to turn them on when they leave the house or go to sleep. To make the most out of your alarm system, you have to know how to use it effectively.

Don’t under-purchase. Know your home’s needs before you buy a burglar alarm. Some home owners end up buying a system that is not sufficient for their house. The size of your house and the neighborhood you live in will determine the security system you need. So unless you purchase a system that covers all bases, it will most likely not be as effective as it can be.

Don’t over-purchase either. A lot of companies will try to sell you a large number of security products that you probably don’t even need. So do your research before going to the market. Talk to your neighbors, friends and research on the internet to determine exactly how much security your home needs.

The above surveys indicate that security measures including burglar alarms do help in deterring burglars. However, burglar alarms are not the only way to secure homes. Homeowners can use other security measures with burglar alarms such as timed lights, deadbolts, and motion sensing lights to enhance their home security. Burglars may also be deterred by other factors such as close proximity of people, less escape routes, dogs, and outdoor cameras.